economy from going off the fiscal cliff. after a late afternoon meeting with the top four congressional leaders at the white house, president obama offered this assessment. >>> i'm modestly optimistic -- nobody is going to get 100% of what they want. but let's make sure that middle class families and the american economy and in fact the world economy aren't adversely impacted because people can't do their jobs. >> sources say house speaker are john boehner deferred to senate colleagues and told them house leaders would consider, accept or amend their plan. what s not expected to be included in any deal is increasing the debt limit, something democrats have wanted and republicans have resisted. >> we he haded a long meeting in the white house and it was constructive. we hope that it will bear fruit. but that is what we hoped a lot. i think that the next 24 hours will be very instructive as to what we are able to accomplish. >> if it doesn't work president obama wants lawmakers to vote on what would essentially be plan c. here